Electric switch for direction signals



March 1, 1932 H. o. BRION 1,848,001

ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR DIRECTION SIGNALS Filed'Dec. 1. 1927 2 sheets-sheet 1 I INVENTOR 9 BYHMPy Q Bram JHW a: ATTORNEY March 1, 1932. 0, QN 1,848,001

ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR DIRECTION SIGNALS Filed Dec. 1, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 v INVENTOR Z9 Harv-:9 Q B on.

BY 65 4 MW A; ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 1, 1932 HARRY O. BBIOIL'OI' ROCHESTER, NEW YORK mcrmc swrrcn ron DIRECTION SIGNALS Application filed December 1, 1927. Serial No. 287,097. 7

The present invention relates to electric switches and an object of the same is to provide a construction adapted for controlling direction signalling s stems embodying a plurality of circuits. nother object of the invention is to provide an electric switch for direction signals adapted to be set manually to a closed position before the vehicle turns and to be automatically returned to open position when the steering wheel is a ain adjusted for straight ahead drive. till another object of the invention is to provide a switch having two switch members, one of which is movable in either one of two directions to close one of two circuits while the other has connection with the first mentioned switch member tobe moved thereby to close the circuit when the first mentioned member is moved in either one of the two directions of movement. A further object of the invention is to rovide a construction in which a switch mem er is held in closed position by a detent and a latch is interposed between the detent and a moving part, adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the latch. A still further object of the invention is to provide a switch moved to open position by a spring and held in closed position by a detent, said switch member being moved to a closed position by either one of two other switch members when the latter are moved to closed position, and the spring moved switch member also effecting the opening of the switch member which closes said spring moved switch member.

To these and other ends, the invention consists of certain parts and combinations of parts, all of which will be hereinafter described ;'the novel features being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle with parts broken away to illustrate the position of the controlling switch;

a Fig. 2 is an enlarged section .on the line '2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuits and the signal arrangement;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the releasing detent;

Fig. 5 shows the switch with cover removed and its .parts in normal positions;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the switch adjusted for a left turn;

Fig. 7 is a view showing the switch adjusted for a right turn;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the detent depressed and all circuits open;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the switch member for controlling the right and left turn signals; and

Fig. 10 is an edge view of the switch with the cover removed.

Referring first to Fig. 3 where a dia ram of a signalling system is illustrated, 1 llldl cates the usual tail lamp of a vehicle, which may be illuminated in an suitable manner.

This tail lamp has prefera ly arranged above it in close proximity thereto a signal lamp 2 which has a red lens or other means to give a red light. On op osite sides of this signal lamp 2 are arranged two lamps 3 and 4, preferably having green glass lenses or other means to give green colored lights when illuminated. Above the lamp 2 is a lamp 5 which has a green lens or other means to give a green light when illuminated. When the icle is traveling straight ahead and no signal is required, the lamps 2 to 5 inclusive are dark. Should, however, a right turn signal be desired, the lamps 2 and 4 are illuminated. The lamps 2 and 3 are illuminated for a left turn and'the lamps 2 and 5 are illuminated for a stop or back-up. A source of electricity 6, such as the battery of the motor vehicle, grounded at 7 connects with the center post 8 of a switch base 9. This switch base 9 also has contact posts 10 for the right light 3, 11 for the left light 4, 12 for the stop or back-up light 5, and 13 for the common or center red light 2. The lights 2, 3, 4, and 5 are grounded at 14.

From the posts 10 and 11 project one toward the other, two spring contact fingers 15 and 16 respectively, and, occupying the neutral position normally between these fingers, is a switch member or lever 17 having a fin er piece 18 projecting beyond the base 9 and p1v oted at its inner end on the center post 8 so that it may be swung from its neutral or center position in either direction, one to close the circuit to the lamp 3, and the other to close the circuit to the lamp 4.

With the end in view of closing the circuit to the lamp 2, there is provided a switch member 19 pivoted to the post 8, and arranged to o )CIilt-G beneath a contact finger 20 secured to t e contact post 13. A spring 21 secured at 22 at one end to the base and at 23 at the other end to the switch member 19, normally tends to hold the switch member 19 awa lamp 2 will normally be open.

As it is desired to close the oil cuit to the lamp 2 when the switch member 17 is moved to illuminate the lamp 3 or the lamp 4, a novel meansis provided for effecting the movement of the switch member 19 to closed position with the movement of the switch member 17 in either direction from its central or neutral position; With this end in view, the switch member 17 has'a lateral lug or projection 24 which is adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 25 formed on the switch member 19 so that, when the lever 17 is moved to the left, the shoulder or projection 24 will engage the shoulder 25 and shift the switch member 19 to closed position. At the same time, when the switch member 19 is released, as will be hereafter more particularly pointed out, the spring 21 will, through the shoulders 24 and 25, return the switch member 17 to normal position. The switch member 17 when moved to the right has a shoulder 26 thereon which cooperates with a shoulder 27 on a lever 28 pivoted at 29 to the base 9 at one side of the post 8 and havin its free end projecting on the other side of t e post 8 and provided with a shoulder 30 adapted to cooperate with the surface or abutment 31 formed on the lever 19, in order to shift said switch member 19 toward and into engagement with the contact 20.

With the end in view of closing the circuit to the lamp 5, a third switch member or lever 32 is provided pivoted to the contact post 8 and having a projection adapted to cooperate with a contact 34 which connects with the post 12 so as to establish electrical connection between the post 8 and the post 12. When the movement of this switch member 32 takes place, it is desirous also to move the switch member 19 to close the circuit to the lamp 2, and, to this end, the switch member 32 has an abutment 35 for cooperating with an abutment 36 formed on the switch member 19 so that both switch members 19 and 32 travel together in the same direction when the switch member 32 is moved, but the switch member 19 may move independently of the switch member 32 under the action of the switch member 17. The contact 20 is so positioned that it is engaged by the operator or switch member 32 after the switch member 19 has engaged its contact 34 in order that the operator 32 may move the switch member 19 to closed position without the operator 32 engaging the contact 34.

. To the end of maintaining a signal, that is a right or left tum signal or a backup or stop signal, a detaining means is employed for holding the sprin 21 against action to return the switch mem )er 19 to its normal or open position. This detaining means, in this instance, comprises a two armed detent 37 y pivoted at 38 to the base 9 and having on one from the contact 20 so that the circuit to the side of its pivot a shoulder or abutment 39 adapted to engage with a shoulder or abutment 40 on the switch member 19 when said switch member is moved to closed position by either of the levers 17 or 32. the detent 37 being urged to this position by a spring arm 41, and a surface 42 on the detent 37 engaging the surface 43 of the switch member 19 and holding said detent from interfering with the movement of the lever 19 until the switch closing position of the lever is reached.

The operation of the detent may be effected to release the switch member 19 by any suit able means. In this instance, two such means .are illustrated, one manual and the other automatic and governed from the position of the steering wheel. comprise a plunger 44 guided in the cover member 45 of the switch and having a finger piece 46 at one end exposed beyond the cover. and a hook 47 at its opposite end passed through an eye 48 on the detent so that when the plunger 46 is pushed inwardly, the detent 37 is pushed out of the path of the switch lever 19.

In order to adapt the switch to automatic operation, the switch has secured thereto at 49 a split clamp 50 adapted to pass around the steering post 51 so as to hold the switch to one side of the steering post. Clamped about the hub 52 of the steering wheel and turning with the latter is the split clamp 54 having a cam or projection 55 extending laterally therefrom. This cam or projection 55 lies, when the steering wheel is adjusted for straight ahead drive, against the free end of an arm 56 which projects from a latch 57 through the cover 45 of the switch and holds such latch in its inner position. This latch is copivoted at 38 with the detent 37 and is designed to cooperate with the two abutment-s 58 and 59 on the detent 37 on that side of the pivot 38 opposite the shoulder When the latch is in its inner position, it cooperates with a bevelled projection 61 which flexes the latch 57 laterally and moves the said latch out of the path of the abutment 59 so that the detent 37 may move into detaining position with the switch member 19 even though the latch is pressed inwardly by the projer' tion 55. When the projection 55 is moved out of the path of the latch arm 56, the latch The manual means may under the action of the spring 62 moves outwardly and beyond the a utment 59, as illustrated in Fig. 7 in full lines. When the steering wheel is again swung'to straighten the direction of travel of the vehicle, the projection 55 will engage the arm 56 and the detent 37 will be moved on its pivot to release the switch lever 19 by the action of spring 21. This action occurs whether the switch lever 17 is swung to'the right or to the left \Vhen the switch lever 32 is operated and the steering wheel is not turned, the switch lever 19 may be reached through the plunger 44.

The operation of the invention may be'understood from the foregoing but it may be summarized as follows; when the vehicle is travelling straight ahead all the signals 2 to 5 inclusive are dark and the projection 55 lies against the arm 56 of the latch holding said latch through the bevelled projection 61 out of controlling engagement with the detent 37. Should it be desired to turn to the right or left, the lever 17 is shifted in the direction in which the turn is to be made. This swings the switch member 19 toward its contact point so that the signal 2 as well as the right signal 3 or left signal 4 is also lighted. .VVhen the steering wheel 53 is turned to make the turn indicated by the signal, the projection 55 will move out of the path of the arm 56 so that the latch 57 moves off the bevelled projection 61 and behind the abutment 59. Upon the movement of the steering wheel 53 to straighten the direction of travel of the vehicle, the projection 55 moves into engagement with the arm 56 and shifts the detent 37 out of the path of the switch member 19 permitting the latter to return to open position under the action of the spring 21 and causing said switch member to shift the switch lever 17 to neutral position either through the projection 24 or the projection 26. As the latch 57 moves inwardly under the action of the cam 55, the latch 57 is by the cam projection 61 freed from the detent 37 so that the latter may act' independently of the latch 57 and move into en agement with the switch 19.

Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A "switch comprising two switch members, two contacts arranged to be engaged by one of the switch members, one when the said switch member is moved in one direction from a neutral position,'and the other when said switch member is moved in the opposite direction from a neutral position, a spring for moving said other member to open position, a third contact with which the other switch member is adapted to engage, connecting devices between the two switch members having provision for permitting the spring actuated switch member to move to closed position independently of the other switch member, said connecting devices alsohaving provision for moving the spring actuated engages, said contact being positioned so that itis engaged after the switch member has engaged its contact in order that the opera tor may move the switch member to closed position without engaging the operator with its contact.

3. A switch comprising two copivoted switch members, two contacts, arranged to be engaged by one of the switch members, one when said switch member is moved in one direction from a neutral position, and the other when the said switch member is moved in the opposite direction from the neutral position, a third contact with which the other switch member engages when moved in one direction, a spring for moving the latter switch member away from its contact, a detent for holding the latter switch member to its contact, and a connecting means between the two switch members having provision for permitting the spring actuated switch member to move to closed position independently of the other switch member, said connecting means also having provision for moving the spring actuated switch member to closed position when the first mentioned switch member is moved to either of its closed positions, said connecting means comprising a lever moved by the two way switch member when moved in one direction and two separable abutments engaged when the two way switch is moved in the other direction.

4. In a direction signal for motor vehicles, the combination with a circuit and a signalling device therein, of a switch member controlling the circuit, a spring in which energy is stored when the switch member is moved to close the circuit, said spring having connection with the switch member to return the lat ter to a position to open the circuit, a spring pressed pivoted detent to hold the switch member closed against action of the spring, a latch pivoted to the detent, separable cooperating abutments on the latch and the detent for effecting the shifting of the detent to release the spring, fixed means for separating said abutments after the latch has moved the detent away from detaining position, a pressure member engaging the latch to shift said latch to move it to a position where the abutments are separated so that the detent is free to return independently of the device under the action of its spring, means for su porting said pressure member for cooperationwith the detent.

' 5. A switch comprising a switch member, a contact with which said switch member cooperates to close one circuit, a second switch member, two contacts with which said second switch member is adapted to cooperate to close two circuits, said contacts being positioned on o posite sides of the said second switch member so that the Said switch member. may move from a neutral intermediate position in either direction to one of said contacts, a spring acting on the first mentioned switch member normally to hold said switch member in open circuit position, a detent for holding the spring actuated switch member in closed position against the action of the spring, and means connecting the two switch members to cause the spring actuated switch member to move to closed position and to hold the spring with the energy stored therein when the second switch member is moved to either of its switch closing positions, said means including, normally engaged parts which when disengaged permit the first named switch member to move to closed position where it is held by the detent against movement under the action of its spring while the second named switch member is in neutral position.

6. A switch comprising a switch member, a contact with which said switch member cooperates to close one circuit, a second switch member, two contacts with which said second switch member is adapted to cooperate to close two circuits, said contacts being positioned on opposite sides of the said second switch member so that the said second switch member may move from a neutral intermediate position in either direction to one of said contacts, the two switch members being copivoted, a spring acting on the first mentioned switch member to hold it in open circuit position, a detent cooperating with the spring actuated switch member to hold it in closed circuit position, a pivoted member having two abutments each of which is engaged by one of the switch members when the second switch member is moved to one of said positions, shifting the other first named switch member to circuit closing position, so that the first named switch member may move to closed position independently of the second named switch member, and means connecting the two switch members to cause the first mentioned switch member to be moved to circuit closing position when the second mentioned switch member is moved to its other circuit closing position.

7. A switch comprising two switch members, contacts in cooperation with each switch member to provide a circuit closing position, a spring acting on one of said switch members to move it to open circuit position, a

- detent for holding Said spring actuated switch in closed position, and coo rating separable abutments, each connecte with one of the switch members, engaging when the other switch member is moved toward circuit closing position to cause the spring actuated switch member to move to circuit closing position, and moved away from each other when the spring actuated switch actuated member is moved independently to circuit closing position.

8. A switch comprising circuit closing con-- tacts, two copivoted switch members, each movable into engagement with independent contacts, a spring for moving one of said switch members away from the coacting contacts, cooperating separable abutments on the switch members through which the spring ac tuated switch member is moved, one through the other switch member to engage its respective contact, and a releasable detent for holding the spring actuated switch member in closed position against movement under the action of its spring.

9. In a direction signal for motor vehicles, the combination with three circuits and a visual signalling device in each of them, of three contacts, two switch members, one movable in one direction to engage one of the contacts to close one of the circuits, and the other movable in either one of two directions from a neutral position to engage either one of the other two contacts to close either one of the other two circuits, a spring acting on said first switch member to hold said switch open, connecting means between the spring actu ated member and the second mentioned switch member for moving said spring actuated member in one direction to store energy in the spring when the second mentioned switch member is moved in either direction to close either of the circuits, said connecting means having provision for returning the second mentioned switch member to a neutral position from either of its circuit closing posi tions when the spring actuated member is released, and also having provision permitting the spring actuated switch member to move to closed position independently of the second mentioned switch member, and releasable means for holding said spring actuated member against movement under the action of the spring.

10. A direction signal comprising three circuits, contacts in each circuit, three switch levers. one in each of the circuits, a spring for holding one of said levers away from its contact, a detent for holding said lever in engagement with its contact, and means permitting said spring actuated lever to be moved to engage its contact through either of the other levers independently of the other.

11. In a direction signal for motor vehicles, the combination with a circuit and a signalling device therein, of a switch member controlling said circuit, a spring in which energ is stored when the switch member is move to close the circuit, said spring having connection with the switch member to return the latter to a position to open the circuit, a detent for holding the switch in closed position, a device forshifting the detent from detaining position having a releasable connection with said detent, means for effecting the release of the detent from the shifting device when said shifting device is shifted to a certain position, a pressure member engageable in said detent shifting device to move and hold it in the position where it is released from the detent, whereby the latter is free to move independently of the device in order to hold the switch closed against the action of the cooperating spring, and a movable support for said pressure member to maintain it in cooperative position with the detent shifting device.

HARRY O. BRION. 

